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Welcome Second Graders as you witness a phenomenon of nature. Here you will be a part of a complete metamorphosis. What is a complete metamorphosis? A complete metamorphosis is a 4-step total body transformation (egg, larva, pupa, and adult). Each stage of life will look very different from the previous one. We will follow Painted Lady caterpillars as they turn into butterflies and Pink Spotted ladybug larvae as they turn into an adult ladybug.
These are only 1 type of each insect. Nearly all insects have 3 body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), 6 legs, antennae, and an exoskeleton. There are about 17,500 different types of caterpillar/butterflies and about 5,000 different types of ladybugs (ladybugs are considered beetles).
Fun Fact: Painted Lady Butterflies are one of the most popular butterflies. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Caterpillar Habitat
Caterpillar Habitat
The caterpillars arrive in a cup. There are 5 of them. The lid of the cup provides a place for them to place their silk button to hang in the chrysalis. The lid is also ventilated so the caterpillar can breath. Insects breath through holes in their exoskeleton. The caterpillar's holes are called spiracles.
They were in their egg for around 3 days. They will be caterpillars for around 10-12 days. They will be in their chrysalis for around 7-10 days. Then the butterfly will emerge.
Ladybug habitat
Ladybug habitat
Ladybug Land provides an open area for the ladybug larvae to crawl around and avoid one another. There is also a water sponge in the grey structure at the highest point. There is plenty of air for them to breath.
They were in their egg for around 5-7 days. They will be larva for around 7-14 days. They will be in their pupa shell for around 7-10 days. Then the adult ladybug will emerge.
What are they eating in that cup? In the wild, the caterpillars would hatch from their egg on a mallow leaf, so they can start munching right away. The tan colored substance in the cup is their food. It is ground up plant matter mixed with vitamins and nutrients. They do not need to be fed water because there is enough water in the food.
Mallow Plant
What are they eating in Ladybug Land? They are eating a blend of food prepared in a lab. In the wild they would mainly eat another type of insect called aphids. The adult ladybug eats these also.
Eating Aphids
Observation
Observation
Caterpillars
Caterpillars
Ladybugs
Ladybugs
As you observe the caterpillars, look for them swaying their head back and forth. They are producing silk from their spinneret. Silk acts as a bridge they can walk on and as a shelter.
Watch as the back prolegs act as suction cups they can hang from as they contort the rest of their body.
Observe the front true legs grabbing.
Notice the ones that begin to hang from the top in a "J" shape, getting ready to form its chrysalis.
You may find black spiky matter. That is pieces of the caterpillar's exoskeleton. They need to molt (shed) their skin as they grow.
You may also notice little darker tan dots. It is called frass. The caterpillar does need to go to the bathroom too.
caterpillar body parts.pdfCaterpillar Diagram
Enjoy observing the ladybug larvae. Ask yourself questions and try to find the answers. Watch them eat, drink, climb, interact, and wander. Soon they will be in shells on the sides of the dome.
caterpillar molt.pdfHow a Caterpillar Molts
Observe using the dated subpages. Feel free to take notes/draw pictures in a journal while you observe...
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